Instruction
A recipe for better putting
How do you become a better putter? A reliable recipe would be to consistently roll the ball on your intended line with good speed. It may sound simple, but mastering those two fundamentals takes hard work.
My job as an instructor is to quantify those ideals and a few more, and build on them by digging deeper into a golfer’s putting stroke. I use the S.A.M. PuttLab (Science and Motion), because it helps quantify factors that the naked eye simply cannot see, and yields quicker progressions.
Rolling the Ball On Line
There are two main basic factors that influence a putt’s starting direction:
- Face Angle
- Club Path
We’ll start with the face angle, since studies have shown it has more than twice the importance of path.
Fun Fact: The face at impact is responsible for approximately 83 percent of the ball’s starting direction. So let’s say you are hitting a 10-foot putt and your path is perfectly down the target line, not to the left or right. If your face is perfectly square, you will hit the putt at the center of the hole. If your putter face is one degree off (left or right), however, you will hit the edge of the hole on a 10-foot putt.
That’s right folks. If your face is only 1-degree offline with a zero path your ball could lip in or it could lip out! A true 50/50 ball. As it turns out, putting is pretty hard and there is a pretty small margin for error, but you probably already knew that.
As far as path goes, I have found that most bad putters swing the putter to the left (if they’re right-handed) and cut across the ball with an open putter face. Most golfers also adjust their putter face to compliment their path at impact. However, hitting putts with an open face makes the ball roll worse than its antithisis, the closed putter face.
Notice in the pictures of the report below that the golfer is a left swinger of the putter head, and he gets a lower score because the machine knows that this is not desirable. However, the player is really consistent so the score for consistency is high because the machine knows that the player, although maybe a little volatile, has a repetitive action.
I would change the shape of this putting stroke. If a golfer cuts across putts, then they usually take the putter straight back or even outside the target line and then swing the putter left through impact.
My suggestion is to take the putter inside on the backswing, thus giving golfers a better chance to swing the putter right or down the line through impact. This will help them zero out the path of the putter head. The ball will roll better, allowing golfers to hit more solid and straight putts. When golfers fix the path, the face will — usually within an hour practice session — fix itself.
The speed you need
If you take lessons from different “putting gurus,” you will hear many different brands of verbiage, but consistent philosophies when it comes to speed control. The basic quantifiable fundaments for putting are tempo, timing and consistency of both tempo and timing.
For the sake of this article, I am going to keep this simple.
- Tempo is the rhythm of your putting stroke.
- Timing is how well your mechanics come together with your tempo and in a proper sequence. What is considered “good” is a 2-to-1 ratio between Backswing Time and Time to Impact.
The most important term, however, is consistency. If you are not consistent with tempo or timing you will not have any feel. Your brain needs to have an idea of the pace that you swing the putter. This consistency gives you confidence, and that confidence allows you to commit to your line and roll the ball on that line with the correct pace.
My best tip for better distance control is to always hold your finish while hitting putts.
Understand that putting is very similar to shooting a basketball. Everyone remembers Reggie Miller’s “Goose-Neck” follow through while raining down jumpers in the NBA. It was his attention to detail that made him one of the greatest shooters that ever was. Miss or make, he would be holding his right arm in the same position every single time.
The same goes for putting in golf. You want to hold your finish, your hands and the putter head, in the same position every time (relative to the length of the putt and size of the stroke obviously) and when you do this your timing will become more consistent.
Conclusion
The moral of this story is that there are no shortcuts to making putts. Hard work and dedicated practice is the only way. “If you work hard, your only real opponent is the moment” and it is true.
You think getting better is hard? You’re right. Embrace that notion and enjoy the process!
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
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other paul
Mar 24, 2015 at 3:40 pm
i would love to see an article from you about putting alignment and perceived location of the hole. I found I missed 9/10 putts to the right at 10′. Had a laser attached to my putter and it showed I perceived the hole where it is not.
Jeremy Anderson
Mar 24, 2015 at 4:34 pm
Other Paul-
Every golfer searches for perfection. It is better to have really consistent aim than perfect aim. I’ll get on that topic though! Thanks!!
Chris
Mar 23, 2015 at 5:10 pm
I don’t think the results are the result of poor consistency overall and not just a left path as you imply. Here is a link to puttlab report for a 2.8 left path player and I doubt that anyone would say that Loren Roberts was a poor putter: http://www.samsports.us/PuttLab%20Data/LorenRoberts.pdf. Your example players numbers have significant variance in both path and face angle but you also neglect to show the other numbers such as loft at impact and where the ball impacts the face. You state that people with a right biased/close face roll the ball better; how does the ball know that the face is open or closed ? The poor roll is probably more a result of a poorly fit putter and not an open or closed face. Can you explain why you think a “closed” face puts a better roll on the ball give a consistent rate of rotation, center hit, and proper angle of attack/loft at impact?
Jeremy Anderson
Mar 23, 2015 at 5:23 pm
Chris-
I agree! Someone with a good rise into the ball and proper loft will roll the ball well. This is merely my take on a large handful of my students feel. Typically when I see a player swing it straight back the putter is going left at impact. I am just giving a fix to a misconception of straight back/thru feel. I see a lot of straight back to left path with a face open at address.
Chris
Mar 23, 2015 at 5:46 pm
Thanks for the response. I agree with you on the SBST feel resulting in the appearance of SB but left as the stroke goes through the ball; this may also result in the face being closed at impact because of normal rotation. To compensate you get the player manipulating the stroke and holding it open to eliminate the left miss. Manipulation is the real problem and the manipulation can be fixed several ways including changing the stroke mechanics to reduce the left stroke path or fitting the player to a putter that has a slower rotation to naturally be open the correct amount at impact.
Mike
Mar 23, 2015 at 3:20 pm
I always pull putts. Even though the Ping app says my stroke is very consistent and rates me near scratch. I’d give anything to stop pulling them.
A
Mar 23, 2015 at 3:41 pm
I suffer the same problem. My path is usually straight or in to out, and my putter face is square at address and between 1-2 degrees closed at impact (I was told it was like a draw swing-putt). Over 12-17 foot putts, 1 or 2 out of five putts will go in and 3-4 will miss left. This is on a perfectly flat surface using the putt lab.
Wish I could figure out how to keep them straight without feeling like I’m manipulating my stroke.
Chris
Mar 23, 2015 at 5:11 pm
Try a putter with less offset.
Jeremy Anderson
Mar 23, 2015 at 5:15 pm
A-
The less manipulated feeling would be a grip change. Do you think it would feel too awkward to weaken your lead hand on the grip? I’d like to know more about how consistent the rotation of your putter face is..
Jeremy Anderson
Mar 23, 2015 at 4:53 pm
You sound like you roll it well.. You have a different and nearly the opposite problem from what I’m talking about in the article. I would try a slight grip change. I’d like to hear more…. How do you aim?